To promote their standing in society and protect their economic rights, the Indian community must work with other Malaysians through the principles of democratic rights, rule of law and uphold integrity against corruption. Only when the minority work with the majority groups through fundamental principles enshrined in our Federal Constitution, can the basic human rights, political and civil liberties as well as the economic interests of all communities be protected.

Unfortunately, racists and religious extremists have now gained prominence by questioning the rights and freedoms of minorities. That is why celebrating Thaipusam is so important as an endorsement of moderation and rejection of the dangerous ideas represented by these racists and religious extremists. Further celebrating Thaipusam also demonstrates that all Malaysians, Muslim and non-Muslim, Malay and non-Malay support the fundamental right of freedom of religion.

Eulogy To Sdr Wong Ho Leng By DAP Secretary-General And MP For Bagan Lim Guan Eng In Kuala Lumpur On 23 June 2014.

Wong Ho Leng – Passing Of A Giant In Sarawak Politics

When I received a message on 21 June 2014 from Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua of Sdr Wong Ho Leng’s passing, whilst attending a thanksgiving ceramah for DAP’s victory in the Bukit Glugor parliamentary by-election, I felt sadness at a loss of a dear comrade-in-arms but yet marveled at Ho Leng’s fighting spirit.

The spate of kidnappings of tourists and Malaysians in Sabah has highlighted the failure of the police to deliver on their statutory duty to combat crime and ensure the safety and security of Malaysia. Even Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz complained that the recent kidnapping cases in Sabah have had more impact on the tourism industry than the disappearance of the MH370 jetliner in March.

Travel advisories issued by countries such as the United States, Britain and Germany against Malaysia. This appears to confirm the Unisys Security Index 2014 Report that listed Malaysia as No.2 spot amongst 12 countries which are most worried about their security. Only the drug-ridden country of Mexico is considered more dangerous than Malaysia.

1Malaysia A Cruel Political Gimmick When BN Does Not Respect Non-Muslim Rights Even Their Parental Rights Over Their Own Children.

BN only talks about 1 Malaysia in Sabah and Sarawak. In Peninsular Malaysia, the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s 1Malaysia is truly dead and buried from the moment Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin declared in 2010 that he was a Malay first and a Malaysian second.

1Malaysia is a cruel political gimmick when BN does not respect non-Muslim rights, even their parental rights over their own children. First, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Jamil Khir Baharom declared that Malaysia is not a secular state but an Islamic state in a written parliamentary reply to DAP Sibu MP Oscar Ling. This outrageous attempt to change the basic framework of the Federal Constitution derived during Merdeka in 1957 and the formation of Malaysia in 1963 ignores the fact that our country’s laws are clearly secular in nature.

DAP expressed shock at the arrest of DAP’s Seri Delima assemblyperson RSN Rayer at the Penang North-East Police District Headquarters in Jalan Pattani where he is expected to be charged under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act tomorrow morning over his “Umno celaka” remark. I was informed by Rayer who is presently posting police bail, whilst I am here in Kuala Lumpur attending the Conference of Rulers at the Royal Palace.

Rayer reiterated that he had never repeated outside the House what he had said inside the State Assembly meeting. As such this sedition charge against Rayer is not only politically motivated but also double-standards and selective prosecution by the Attorney-General. To be charged for sedition for a statement made against another political party and not against any racial groups inside the House is also disrespect bordering on contempt to the supremacy of parliamentary democracy as well as to the sanctity of the Penang State Assembly as the highest institution in Penang.

What Is The Point Of The Prime Minister Referring Interfaith Child Custody Cases To The Federal Court For Resolution If Both The Minister For Home Affairs And Inspector-General Of Police(IGP) Prefers To Politicise The Issue By Refusing To Comply With Civil Court Orders?

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s suggestion urging families involved in interfaith child custody cases to use the Federal Court to resolve them is an empty one when his own Minister of Home Affairs Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and IGP Khalid Abu Bakar is in contempt of civil court orders. What is the point of the Prime Minister referring interfaith child custody cases to the Federal Court for resolution if both the Minister for Home Affairs and IGP prefers to politicise the issue by refusing to comply with civil court orders?

Not Only Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar but Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi should also resign if the IGP can refuse to comply with civil court children custodial orders, permitting the criminal deaths of those under police custody to continue and condoning violent acts by pro-BN gangsters. The IGP has caused outrage when he stated that the police would remain neutral in cases where there are conflicting judgements between syariah and civil courts regarding the custody of children.

The two civil court orders that the children be returned to the mother involve M Indira Gandhi against her ex-spouse Muhammad Ridhuan Abdullah in Ipoh, and the case of S Deepa against her ex-spouse Izwan Abdullah in Seremban. To avoid being “sandwiched” by a conflicting syariah court order that gave custody to the Muslim husband convert, the IGP said the police will choose the middle path by not enforcing the two civil court orders and instead placing the children in childcare centres.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s should not flip-flop but take heed and not depart from former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s position that Muslims in Malaysia are not ready for the implementation of hudud. Mahathir is correct in maintaining his stand that it would not be fair to have different penalties between Muslims and non-Muslims for the same offence.

This policy was adopted by Mahathir when he was the Prime Minister from 1981-2003 and he had refused to even meet PAS leaders to discuss the issue. However BN under Najib has now publicly lauded proposals made to implement hudud law and was willing to meet PAS to discuss this.

Pakatan Rakyat’s common policy platform and 2008 as well as 2013 general election manifesto does not include the implementation of the hudud or the establishment of the Islamic state. This has been agreed to by all the component parties of PAS, PKR and DAP in Pakatan Rakyat.

All the component parties can adhere to their respective objectives within the democratic framework. However focus and priority should be on PR’s common policies that have been agreed to by all 3 parties such as fighting corruption, pursuing good governance establishing rule of law and justice, ensuring that economic prosperity can be shared equitably with the rakyat and not enjoyed only by the cronies.

Jade Emperor Festival Or 8th Day Of Chinese New Year Message By Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng In Komtar, George Town On 6.2.2014.

During this year’s Chinese New Year festivities, the regular topic of discussion in family reunion gatherings is how the toxic atmosphere of playing with the fires of racial and religious hatred has paralysed the pursuit of happiness and hastened the brain drain by accelerating the exodus of human talent. Penang will counter UMNO’s dangerous games of playing with the fires of racial and religious hatred with the weapons of social justice, economic prosperity, good governance and clean leadership.

Recent events coupled with the refusal to address the pressing issues of entrenched corruption and cronyism as well as price hikes that threaten the livelihood of ordinary Malaysians, have lent credence to the view that BN has stopped governing because they no longer know how to rule. The PR Penang state government’s success in becoming the first state in Malaysian history to wipe out poverty and becoming the only state not to raise local services such as quit rent, assessment, business license fees and water tariffs has made UMNO desperate.

Press Statement By Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng In Komtar, George Town On 7.10.2013.

DAP supports Opposition leader Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s condemnation of those who spread dangerous lies that DAP has tried to propagate Christianity to set up a Christian state in Penang. DAP is consistent in opposing any establishment of a theocratic state, including opposing a Christian state.

Anwar is correct that there was no truth in such lies against the DAP and me because both DAP and myself has been unwavering in our support for the position in the Federal Constitution of Islam as the religion of the Federation. These lies were made by UMNO groups and Utusan Malaysia against the DAP merely on the flimsy ground that DAP leaders had attended a closed-door meeting with Christian pastors.

Press Statement By Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng In Komtar, George Town On 28.9.2013.

Penang PR State Government Has Poured Tens Of Millions Of Ringgit In Funding Since 2008 And Sited The 2 Penang CAT Dialysis Centres In Balik Pulau And Seberang Jaya As Well As The Over RM 4 Billion Undersea Tunnel Link To Bagan Ajam Which Benefits BN-Held Tasek Gelugor And Kepala Batas Parliamentary Seats.

The Penang PR State government has never neglected opposition-held areas but has instead poured tens of millions of ringgit in funding since 2008 and even sited the 2 Penang CAT Dialysis Centres in Balik Pulau and Seberang Jaya as well as the over RM 4 billion undersea tunnel link to Bagan Ajam which benefits BN-held Tasek Gelugor and Kepala Batas parliamentary seats. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Ahmad Maslan should not label in Parliament two days ago the Penang government’s move to give RM40,000 annual allocation to the 10 opposition UMNO Assemblyman as a publicity stunt, but see this as a positive step forward for a healthy functioning democracy and the politics of inclusion.

Both UMNO leaders can disagree with the Penang state government’s move to give RM40,000 annual allocation because BN refuses to respect democracy and the choice of voters by giving annual development funds to other PR elected representatives in BN-controlled states. However they are wrong in saying that Penang PR state government only gives the RM40,000 annual allocation to BN-held areas.